Purpose To prohibit the broadcasting cf violent children’s programs that are associated with toys available cln the market.

Background Recent years have seen the growth of a new type of children’s cartoon show, those related to toys. In relation to such programs, the heroes, villains and their accessories are marketed as toys. Examples of such programs are He Man and the Masters of the Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arid Inspector Gadget. It is often unclear whether the toys promote the prograin or vice versa, though as the program and the toys are

usually owned by the same group the profits from both sources er d up in the same place. The programs are inevitably violent and the associated toys allow children .o continue the violent fantasies when the programs have ended. It is the latter aspect that is often USE d to distinguish these programs from the more traditional cartoons, though th,ese to usually contain ac:s

of violence.

Main Provisions A new section 118A will be inserted into the Broadcasting Act 7942by clause 4. The proposed sectic n will make it an offence for a company or licensee to broadcast programs that depict acts of violent e and are designed for children if there are toys modelled on the characters, weapons or accessorie,s

in the program on sale in Australia.

Bills Digest Service Pariiamentafy Research Service

7 February 1991

For further information, if required, contact the Law and Govemm’ent Group on 06 2772430.

This Digest does not have any official legal status. Other sources should be consulted to determirie the subsequent official status of the Bill.

0 Commonwealth of Australia 1991

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